DUBAI: The UAE secured their third win in a row defeating Kuwait 3-0 to assure themselves of the title at the Second GCC Women’s Volleyball Championship being played at the Al Wasl Club.

Led by a fine display from captain Fatema Hassan and support from setter Mona Haider and Asma Ahmed, the defending champions were simply too good as they came up with their best display in this week-long competition.

With Fatema Hassan and Nadia Ali attacking from either flank, the Kuwaitis struggled to get points against the hosts.

They took the first set quite easily 25-9 and then lost focus briefly in the second before winning 25-11 before wrapping up set and match 25-11 in the third set. The UAE were left with one last match against Oman and win over their neighbours will assure them of the title.

Earlier, Bahrain secured their second win of the competition with a 25-21, 26-24, 25-20 win over Qatar to nearly assure themselves of the silver medal. Bahrain still had to play bottom-placed Kuwait in their last match, and a win for the Bahrainis will mean they can be sure of ending second best.

Bahrain coach Abdul Jalil Ahmed was pleased with the performance of his team in this competition.

“This is a young team and I think we will improve if we put in the right amount of work in the future,” he confided.

“We have a good setter, but we have a libero who can see with just one eye,” the coach stated.

“But once we return we will start working on our flaws and we can only get better. You will see a completely different Bahrain team at the GCC Women’s Sports Festival to be held in March,” he added.

The UAE started the defence of their title in earnest with an overwhelming 3-0 win over Qatar in their opening match.